Royal Watch News

Prince Harry ringing loved ones from secret phone

Oct 9, 2012, 11:02 GMT

Prince Harry

Britain's Prince Harry has been ringing his girlfriend from an anti-bugging phone on the frontline in Afghanistan.

The 28-year-old royal - an Apache helicopter pilot, who is on a second tour of duty in the country - is said to have been speaking to Cressida Bonas, 24, from 5,500 miles away on the gadget, which has been nicknamed the Batphone, and he has used the device to keep in touch with his family without his calls being intercepted.

A British security source said: 'This phone is one that the spooks use with special security settings so they cannot be overheard. They are very expensive and very good.

'They cannot be intercepted or bugged so Harry can chat away and not worry about anyone listening in and trying to find out his movements or conversations.

'He has regular chats with friends and has kept them in touch with what he's been up to out in Afghanistan.

'The Batphone also gives him the chance to talk to his girlfriend whenever he likes. That's a great bonus for him while he's stuck out in the desert.'

Harry has spoken to his brother Prince William and Duchess Catherine on the phone, which proved particularly useful following a recent Taliban attack on his base in Afghanistan as he used the gadget to ring his family and reassure them he was OK.

A spokesman from St James's Palace said: 'We would not discuss his personal communications and security.'